Oilers defensive struggles continue, team growing frustrated

Despite putting up 49 shots, the Edmonton Oilers fell to the New York Islanders on Wednesday night by a score of 3-0 and the team is growing frustrated with their play defensively.

Through 20 games this season, the Oilers have an even record at 10-10-0, but have allowed 72 goals, an average of 3.6 goals per game.

Over the summer, Oilers general manager Ken Holland had to address their goaltending situation with Mike Smith being on LTIR for the entire year and Mikko Koskinen returning to Europe. Holland went out and signed Jack Campbell on the opening day of free agency to a five-year contract worth $5 million per season ($25 million total) and thus far, it hasn't been a very good addition.

In 11 games this season, Campbell has a 6-5-0 record with a 4.15 goals against average and an .876 save percentage. If the Oilers want to make the playoffs, they'll need Campbell to step it up significantly, but it's not just on him and the Oilers' defensive core has been very poor this season as well.

The Oilers will be back in action on Saturday afternoon when they face the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

Source: the Score

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